Christmas is usually associated with a set of clearly defined traditions and ambiance. Crisp white snow, stockings hanging over an open fire, festive markets, and large meals and celebrations with the family.
However, many people like to add an alternative twist to their seasonal celebrations and take a break from convention with a different experience. There are plenty of ways to spend Christmas in a unique and offbeat way, so take a look at the escapades below and try something new this year!
Christmas in the Tropics
Take a Christmas cruise from Galveston or Miami and swap snowflakes for sandy beaches and pine trees for palm trees with a tropical festive experience. Leave your winter coat at home and pack your swimsuits and Hawaiian shirts instead, for winter sun, sand, and surf. Destinations like Mexico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean are all very accessible and boast wonderful weather in December and January, making them great choices for a tropical Christmas break.
Northern Lights Christmas in Lapland
If you want to get away but don’t want to give up the traditions and feelings of a ‘proper’ winter Christmas, then make your festive season truly magical with a trip to Finnish Lapland. This remarkable spot in the far, frozen north is a true winter wonderland, the ‘official’ home of Santa Claus, and one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights! You can go husky sledding, pet reindeer, and visit Santa’s workshop, before spending the evening watching the magical, natural light show of the Aurora Borealis.
Christmas at Sea
Spending Christmas sailing the Seven Seas is one of the most fabulous ways to spend the holiday season. A Christmas cruise is a special experience, offering a combination of exotic destinations and all the festive traditions you can handle. Cruise ships really push the boat out (pun intended) when it comes to Christmas, and there’s nothing quite like a fully decorated Christmas cruise ship. With holiday-themed activities, events, menus, and entertainment, it’s a great way to combine festive fun with adventure.
Desert Christmas in Morocco
For a truly alternative and unusual Christmas experience, try visiting Morocco and heading out into the Sahara Desert. Morocco itself is a vibrant, exciting place to visit, with bustling souks, amazing historical monuments, and fascinating culture. But the real excitement comes when you set off on the back of a camel out into the sandy dunes of the Sahara, for a Christmas Eve lit only by starlight, followed up by a Christmas morning under the canvas of huge Berber tents. It guarantees a magical, mysterious Christmas experience like no other.
Japanese Winter Illuminations
Although Christmas is not an official holiday in Japan, it is widely celebrated, and the mesmerizing winter illuminations in large cities like Tokyo and Kyoto are truly breathtaking. Streets and parks are transformed into glittering winter wonderlands, full of seasonal street food and festive celebrations.
Creating Your Own Traditions
Choosing to do something different at Christmas is not about rejecting tradition but rather about adding your own personal take on the usual Christmas customs. Whether you choose to celebrate on a sun-drenched beach, on the deck of a Cruise ship, or in the middle of the desert, building your own traditions is an important part of making Christmas as beautiful and significant as it can be.
So, take a step beyond the ordinary and embrace the unconventional this year, with an alternative Christmas you will remember for years to come, filled with joy, excitement, and festive spirit.